Springfield 1884 Trap

American single-shot Springfield model 1884 carbine, 20-1/2” barrel, 41” overall, chambered for .45-70 rifle ammunition. A round is chambered by bringing the hammer to half-cock, and then raising a ‘trapdoor’ to open the breech, after which the cartridge is inserted, the breech closed, and the weapon fully cocked. The lockplate of the weapon is marked with ‘U.S. Springfield’ with a federal eagle, and the model designation “U.S. Model 1884” appears at the top of the trapdoor. The serial number “238619” appears at the top of the very rear of the breach. The carbine is fitted with the Buffington rear sight instroduced in 1885, with a sight protector incorporated into the barrel band as introduced in 1890. A hinged lid on the metal butt plate reveals a compartment which would have held a combination cleaning rod and bayonet, the model 1888, not present in this example. The bluing on the metalwork has been refinished. The bore appears dirty, but shows strong rifling with no pitting. The stock bears a 4-1/2” crack, extending rearwards along the wrist from the rear of the lockplate, else very good. These carbines saw use throughout the Indian Wars of the late 19th century, as well as the Spanish-American and subsequent Philippine-American War.

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